Benin

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Spotlight: Benin Digital Rights Freedom of Assembly

Media and FoE crackdown in Benin intensifies over 2 week period

10 May 2019
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

In an intensified crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Benin, 2 protestors were killed, a journalist arrested and detained and the internet temporarily shutdown.

Benin Free Expression & the Law

Benin authorities arrest editor over article

Authorities in Benin arrested Casimir Kpédjo, editor of newspaper Nouvelle Economie, from his home in Cotonou over an article on Benin's debt.

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)‎22 April 2019

Benin Free Expression & the Law

Broadcasting authority shuts down Benin's most popular newspaper

Benin's High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) has shut down La Nouvelle Tribune - one of the country's most popular pro-opposition newspapers.

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)‎30 May 2018

Benin Free Expression & the Law

Benin: Mayor of Cotonou sues "Nord Sud Quotidien" director for USD $85,000

Léhady Soglo – the mayor of Benin's economic capital Cotonou – has sued the publication director of Nord Sud Quotidien for defamation. Soglo is claiming 50 million CFA Francs (about USD $85,000) in compensation.

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa‎29 May 2017

Latest from Benin

Benin's communications authority allows radio, TV outlets back on air

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Free Expression & the Law 2 February 2017
What Benin's new president needs to know about free expression in his country

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 18 April 2016
Benin: Journalists arrested, 17 students injured in university demonstration

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Attacks 25 November 2013
TV station director sentenced to hard labour in Benin

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Free Expression & the Law 25 January 2013
Benin TV station censored amid presidential pressure

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Benin Censorship 13 December 2012
Newspapers sanctioned for coverage of officials

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Benin Censorship Free Expression & the Law 22 June 2012
ARTICLE 19's submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

‎ ARTICLE 19

Benin 17 April 2012
Benin press regulators halt publication of daily "Le Béninois libéré"

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Benin Censorship 15 December 2011
Media union slams broadcasting authority for gagging media

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 14 April 2011
Police attack newspaper journalist, thwart opposition demonstration

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 14 April 2011
Media regulatory body suspends nine newspapers for one week

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Free Expression & the Law 18 March 2011
Authorities "gag" media on corruption allegations involving President Boni Yayi

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Free Expression & the Law 9 August 2010
Media regulator restricts media coverage of elections

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 23 June 2010
Radio station suspended for 30 days

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Free Expression & the Law 19 November 2009
Media groups condemn attacks on journalists, media

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin Attacks 30 July 2009
Journalist threatened with death by military official

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 8 September 2008
Freedom of the Press 2007: Benin

‎ Freedom House

Benin 27 February 2008
Journalist arrested, physically assaulted by gendarmes

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 21 December 2007
Three journalists and executive of private media group sentenced to prison, heavy damages, fines

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Benin 22 February 2007
Two journalists sentenced to six months in prison with no parole for "defamation"

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Benin 5 December 2006
All journalists freed, no charges laid

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Benin 22 September 2006
Four journalists arrested in four days

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Benin 22 September 2006
Journalists denied access to press conference

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 24 March 2006
Editor arrested and released; faces high treason charges for article

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa

Benin 23 March 2006
CPJ TROUBLED BY JAILING OF JOURNALISTS

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Benin 24 August 2004
Journalist Patrick Adjamonsi released, journalists face retrial

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Benin 20 August 2004

At a glance

Most covered free expression issues in this country

More from Benin

Freedom of the Press 2017: Benin

The High Authority for Audiovisual Media and Communication (HAAC), the country’s media regulator, shuttered a number of news outlets that were either affiliated with an opposition politician, or were critical of President Patrice Talon’s administration.

Freedom House 28 April 2017
Freedom of the Press 2016: Benin

In January 2015, the National Assembly passed the Information and Communication Code of Benin, which helped to clarify the rights and freedoms of journalists. The new code eliminated prison sentences for defamation, though it retained criminal penalties for a number of press offenses, including fines for defamation.

Freedom House 24 April 2016
Freedom of the Press 2015: Benin

Ranked 75th in annual global media freedom report

Freedom House 1 May 2015